First half of October

 The first two weeks of October have seen the arrival of a number of interesting migrants, including the two species shown in the present post:

Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe ), 1w

Sightings of Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) are almost annual on the island. Both adult and juvenile birds have turned up at several unpredicatable locations in recent years, sometimes in small groups. 

Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) 1w

The present individual was discovered by chance as I walked around the Dos Pinos (Los Llanos de Aridane) reservoir on Oct 9. It was perched 5 or 6 metres above me, offering an unusual perspective of a species typically observed close to the ground.

A noteworthy find on Oct 15 was the bird shown here:

Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) imm.

The Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) is described as an irregular winter visitor to the Canary Islands in the "Fieldguide to the Birds of Macaronesia" (Lynx Edicions, 2011).

Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorx carbo) exploring the pond

There have been several records on La Palma, from both coastal locations and freshwater habitats. Since some of the irrigation ponds in Las Martelas (Los Llanos de Aridane) are stocked with carp or tilapia, piscivores are able to find easy prey.

Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) leaving the water

Initially seen standing on the concrete ramp visible in the first photo above, the bird eventually swam underwater and reemerged on the far side of the pond without making a catch. It then settled to dry off, apparently in no hurry for a second attempt.

Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) drying off

Also seen in the same area in the last couple of weeks:

9 x Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis), a sizeable group for the island, plus small numbers of common waders such as Redshank (Tringa totanus), Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea), Greenshank (Tringa nebularia) and Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos). 

1-2 Spoonbills (Platalea leucorodia) have been roosting by day at the Dos Pinos reservoir, but probably feed elsewhere.

Elsewhere on the island, at the saltpans in Fuencaliente, the number of Yellow Wagtails (Motacilla flava) was up from one, to two birds on Oct 7.